With the continuous breakthrough of science and technology, the global humanoid robot market is expanding rapidly. According to the data, the global humanoid robot market size has reached $2.16 billion in 2023, and this figure is expected to grow to $32.4 billion by 2029. Humanoid robots not only show great potential in improving production efficiency, but are also gradually penetrating into education, family and other fields, and commercial application scenarios will be more diversified in the future.
Global policy promotion: Japan, Europe and the United States started early, and China came behind
From the perspective of the global pattern, developed countries such as Japan, Europe and the United States have laid out the robot industry earlier and formulated a systematic policy system, while China has accelerated the pace of catching up with the rapid development trend in recent years, and has successively introduced a number of policies to support the development of the humanoid robot industry.
Japan: Technology first, policy support, industry-university-research synergy
As a pioneer in the field of humanoid robots, Japan started relevant research as early as 1967 at Waseda University, and launched the world's first full-scale humanoid intelligent robot WABOT-1 in 1972. Since then, Honda has continued to work hard, and in 2000 launched the danceable, staircase-climbing ASIMO, marking a major breakthrough in the movement capabilities of humanoid robots.
At the policy level, the Japanese government issued the "Robot White Paper" and "New Strategy for Robots" to promote the deep integration of robots with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and IT, and promote their wide application in manufacturing, services, medical care, and infrastructure. At the same time, Japan has also established an industry-university-research cooperation mechanism and set up a special scientific research fund to encourage joint research and development and exchange and cooperation, and continue to inject vitality into the development of the industry.
Europe and the United States: focus on technological breakthroughs and promote industrial linkage
In 2011, the United States launched the "Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Program 1.0", focusing on industrial, medical, aerospace and other robotics. In 2014, it was upgraded to version 2.0, proposing three more strategic measures to comprehensively promote the practical application of robot technology.
In 2014, the European Union launched "SPARC", the world's largest civilian robot project, with a total investment of 2.8 billion euros by 2020 to promote the research and development of key technologies. Since then, under the framework of "Horizon 2020", 21 more robotics projects have been supported, covering various fields such as healthcare, transportation, logistics, and construction. It is worth mentioning that the EU will officially implement the Artificial Intelligence Law in August 2024, and plans to release an EU-wide "AI-driven" robot strategy in 2025 to build a compliant and safe development environment for the development of intelligent robots.
Figure: Global Humanoid Robot Industry Scale from 2023 to 2029 (Unit: USD 100 million)
China: Intensive policy introduction to create a new highland for global competition
In recent years, China has accelerated the layout of the humanoid robot industry, and issued a number of national policy documents to build the foundation for industrial development:
2020: The "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Robot Industry" proposes to build a world-leading robot industry system;
2021: Released the Action Plan for 5G Applications (2021-2023) and the Action Plan for the Development of Smart Health and Elderly Care Industry (2021-2025) to promote the integrated application of 5G technology and service robots in elderly care, medical care and other scenarios.
2022: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology proposed to promote the upgrade of smart home appliances such as sweeping robots and brewing robots;
January 2023: Released the "Robot +" Application Action Implementation Plan, proposing to double the density of robots in the manufacturing industry by 2025, and significantly improve the breadth and depth of applications in the service and special robot industries;
November 2023: The "Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots" was issued, clarifying that large-scale development will be achieved by 2027 and multiple application scenarios will be expanded;
January 2024: Jointly issued the "Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Innovation and Development of Future Industries", listing humanoid robots as the first "innovative landmark product" and further clarifying its strategic position.
Technology Evolution and Industrial Landscape: From "Initial Exploration" to "Verification and Breakthrough"
On a global scale, Japan is undoubtedly the pioneer of humanoid robot technology, while European and American companies have rapidly caught up through technology accumulation in recent years. Tesla launched the second-generation Optimus humanoid robot in December 2023, showing rapid iteration capabilities, and is expected to produce 10,000 units in 2025, taking a key step towards mass production. Boston Dynamics' Atlas has become a technological benchmark in the field of humanoid robotics with its excellent dynamic motion control capabilities.
Despite this, most humanoid robots are still in the stage of product release and scenario testing, and have not yet entered the stage of large-scale commercialization. Technological breakthroughs, cost control, and application ecology improvement are still the key bottlenecks for industrial development.
Conclusion: The "golden period" of the industry is approaching, and the global race is intensifying
As a representative of the deep integration of artificial intelligence and intelligent manufacturing, humanoid robots are at a critical juncture in the transformation from technology verification to commercialization. With the acceleration of policy promotion, capital support and technological iteration, countries around the world are accelerating the competition for the strategic commanding heights of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. In the future, whoever can take the lead in mass production and large-scale application is expected to take the lead in this "intelligent body revolution".
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Insight into the 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotics Industry Development (1)
Insight into the 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotics Industry Development (2)
Insight into The 2025 Blue Book on Humanoid Robotic Industry Development (3)
